Using the framework for guidance consider this scenario. . . You are working in a day nursery with 5 rooms for ages 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5.You work with up to two other members of staff covering the day from 7am to 6pm although MOST children are part time. What systems will you need to have in place to keep ALL children safe as they and others arrive? Use the guidance in the framework and think about the ratios required.
Systems:
Daily Registration and attendance system for staff, children, visitors which includes exact times of attendance and self-registration alongside setting register.
Designated arrival/welcome area or personal hand over from parents to key worker
Ensure doors/gates are secure and kept shut.
EYFS2012:
Staff: child ratios
3.27 Staffing arrangements must meet the needs of all children and ensure their safety. Providers must ensure that children are adequately supervised and decide how to deploy staff to ensure children’s needs are met. Providers must inform parents and/or carers about staff deployment, and, when relevant and practical, aim to involve them in these decisions. Children must usually be within sight and hearing of staff and always within sight or hearing.
3.28 Only those aged 17 or over may be included in ratios (and staff under 17 should be supervised at all times). Students on long term placements and volunteers (aged 17 or over) may be included if the provider is satisfied that they are competent and responsible.
3.29 The ratio and qualification requirements below apply to the total number of staff available to work directly with children. For group settings providing overnight care, the relevant ratios continue to apply and at least one member of staff must be awake at all times. Exceptionally, and where the quality of care and safety and security of children is maintained, exceptions to the ratios may be made.
3.30 For children aged under two:
• there must be at least one member of staff for every three children;
• at least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification, and must be suitably experienced in working with children under two;
• at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant level 2 qualification;
• at least half of all staff must have received training that specifically addresses the care of babies; and
• where there is an under two-year-olds’ room, the member of staff in charge of that room must, in the judgement of the provider, have suitable experience of working with under twos. 3.31 For children aged two:
• there must be at least one member of staff for every four children;
• at least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification; and
• at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant level 2 qualification.
3.33 For children aged three and over at any time in registered early years provision operating outside the hours of 8 am and 4 pm, and between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm when a person with Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Professional Status or another full and relevant level 6 qualification, is not working directly with the children:
• there must be at least one member of staff for every eight children;
• at least one member of staff must hold a full and relevant level 3 qualification;
• at least half of all other staff must hold a full and relevant level 2 qualification.
Safe systems for children departing
Using the framework for guidance consider this scenario. . . You are a childminder working alone. You have four children to care for in addition to your own three children. The children are a mixture of boys and girls and their ages are: 6 months, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 years. Children leave at times from 3pm to 6.30pm and only two are siblings and leave together. How do you ensure safety of all?
Children will be supervised at all times and will always be in sight and or hear. Ensure that doors and gates are secure and